Yoo Ah-in’s Controversial Comeback Continues with New Post-Scandal Film After “The Match”
Yoo Ah-in is making headlines once again as his second post-scandal film, Hi.5, officially announces its theatrical release for June 3, 2025. This news comes hot on the heels of the box office success of The Match, in which Yoo stars opposite Lee Byung-hun.
Yoo Ah-in’s Return to the Big Screen Gains Momentum Amid Lingering Legal Scandal
Despite being embroiled in a major drug scandal, Yoo’s on-screen presence is making a strong comeback. In 2023, he was indicted without detention for illegal use of propofol (administered 181 times between 2020 and 2022) and unlawfully acquiring sleeping pills under another person’s name. The appeals court sentenced him to 1 year in prison, suspended for 2 years, a fine of 2 million KRW, an additional fee of 1.54 million KRW, 80 hours of community service, and 40 hours of drug education. However, with prosecutors appealing the ruling, the case now awaits a Supreme Court decision.
Amid the legal turbulence, Yoo Ah-in’s acting comeback in The Match proved to be a box office sensation. The film topped the Korean weekend box office for three consecutive weeks, surpassing the break-even point of 1.8 million viewers. Audiences and critics praised the stellar performances of veterans like Lee Byung-hun, Go Chang-seok, Hyun Bong-sik, Moon Jung-hee, and Jo Woo-jin.
Interestingly, Yoo was entirely excluded from the promotional materials of The Match – including trailers and posters, due to his legal situation. Director Kim Hyung-joo explained this was done out of caution, as promotional clips target a broad audience. Still, Yoo plays a pivotal role in the film, portraying the legendary Go prodigy Lee Chang-ho, mentee to Lee Byung-hun’s character Cho Hun-hyun.
Hi.5 Teases Summer Release as Yoo Ah-in’s Comeback Gains Speed
Building on that momentum, the production team of Hi.5, directed by Kang Hyoung-chul (Sunny, Scandal Makers), confirmed the movie’s long-awaited release with a newly revealed teaser poster. Filming for Hi.5 wrapped in 2021, but the release was delayed due to Yoo’s scandal, making this a four-year wait.
The distribution company NEW stated that Yoo Ah-in will not participate in any promotional events for the film. Nevertheless, the back-to-back theatrical releases of The Match and Hi.5 suggest a “light-speed comeback,” as some netizens describe it.
Hi.5 is a comic action blockbuster about five individuals who unexpectedly gain different superpowers through organ transplants, only to be targeted by those who covet their powers. As the first major action entertainer of summer 2025, Hi.5 is expected to test whether Yoo Ah-in can truly win back public trust through his work.
